#439-OLL-December 30, 2007.p65 - The Parish Family of Our Lady ...

Feast of the Holy Family
A retired gentleman in our parish's small-faith group tells anyone who will listen that he
has a difficulty reading and writing. He dropped out of high school to work to support
his family; soon, he was working two jobs to support a wife and children. What he may
lack in communication skills is more than replaced by his lifelong Catholic faith; because
he gave his family that exposure, one of his sons is the director of communications for a
large Catholic charity.
Joseph gives us the perfect example of a father's duty to his family. A faith-filled man, he
heeds the warning to take his wife and child and flee to Egypt, and again listens as he is
told when it is safe to return. As children of God, we are given the same loving care by
the Father who warns of dangers and promises us safety in our lives if we only entrust
ourselves to him.
Liturgy of the Word
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the family is the original cell of
social life. This means that a strong family is the proper initiation to a life in society; it
also promotes strong moral values and a strident foundation for faith (CCC 2207). On
this feast of the Holy Family, rededicate your efforts to building, maintaining and protecting
a loving, faith-filled family in recognition of the example given by Joseph.
©2007 Liturgical Publications Inc
Readings for the Week of December 30, 2007
Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21
or 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
Monday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28
Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6/Jn 1:29-34
Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42
Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51
Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
12•Our Lady of Lourdes•#439